Action to sober up under-age drinkers

POLICE on the streets of Oldham clamping down on under-age drinkers

EXTRA police powers, more activities and better education could hold the solutions to Oldham’s under-age drinking problem.

A report by the council’s safer and stronger communities group, which was set up in November, 2007, has looked into how bad the local situation is and ways to improve it.

Councillors will consider the report at a meeting on Monday and discuss the recommendations to see how they would work if implemented throughout the borough.

While the panel, chaired by Councillor Keith Pendlebury, praised the work already carried out by police, trading standards and other groups, they agreed that there was a lot more that could be done.

The report says that Oldham has high levels of deprivation and a large proportion of young people aged 11 to 17.

The difference in economic and ethnic backgrounds across the borough means that a one solution fits all approach will not work.

Stronger powers for police was recommended to give officers the chance to disperse trouble causers and confiscate alcohol.

An agreement with the courts to make better use of parenting orders and make mums and dads take responsibility for their child’s actions was also suggested.

Improved facilities — such as transforming old and unused pubs into youth centres and using schools out of hours — better promotion of activities and subsidised transport were highlighted as ways to keep youngsters occupied and less likely to turn to booze.

The panel decided that health education in every school and the introduction of special lessons for every child from five to 17 would be extremely beneficial as well as drama workshops, theatre productions and role plays to give children the chance to explore the issues surrounding alcohol.

The report suggests raising the profile of Oldham as a great place to live and work in a bid to attract new investors to the town and create new facilities.

Oldham Primary Care Trust could also help in the fight against underage drinkers by continuing to train emergency services staff, social workers, education welfare workers and health visitors to identify alcohol misuse in families and take appropriate action.

Panel members also recommended urging central government to work with the Advertising Standards Agency to impose tougher controls on ads that glamorise drinking.

The meeting of the safer and stronger communities select group will take place in the Crompton Suite at the Civic Centre at 6pm.